LinkedIn vs WhatsApp:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, LinkedIn and WhatsApp were level in searches among social media platforms in New Zealand, with an estimated 166K versus 184K branded searches, at 2.1% and 2.3% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media platforms, LinkedIn appeared in three of the five answers and WhatsApp in two. LinkedIn and WhatsApp were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
WhatsApp, about 11% more searches than LinkedIn
Who does AI mention more?
LinkedIn, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, WhatsApp in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top social media platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, LinkedIn was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. WhatsApp was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. LinkedIn and WhatsApp were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Facebook5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Instagram5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
TikTok5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
YouTube4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Reddit4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- LinkedIn3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Snapchat3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pinterest2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- WhatsApp2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Threads0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about social media platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which social media platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best social media platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best social media platform in New Zealand for sharing and browsing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“social media platforms nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“popular social media apps”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is LinkedIn or WhatsApp more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for LinkedIn and WhatsApp by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten social media platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for WhatsApp, LinkedIn. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | YouTube | TikTok | Snapchat | Threads | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.9% | 30.2% | 8.7% | 4.1% | 4.7% | 3.4% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.8% | 30.9% | 7.3% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.8% | 31.6% | 7.4% | 4.2% | 4% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 1.8% | 1.1% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 44% | 31.2% | 7.3% | 4.1% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 2% | 2.1% | 1% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.8% | 31% | 7.2% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.2% | 27.2% | 7.7% | 4.3% | 5% | 3.7% | 2% | 2.3% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.9% | 30.7% | 7.1% | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 41.7% | 29.8% | 8.4% | 4.7% | 5.5% | 4% | 2.3% | 2% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.4% | 30.2% | 7% | 4.8% | 5.6% | 4% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.4% | 30.9% | 7.2% | 4.1% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.3% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.2% | 30.2% | 7% | 4.8% | 5.6% | 4% | 2.3% | 2.5% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.8% | 30.6% | 7.1% | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
How has the LinkedIn and WhatsApp comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: WhatsApp took it in May 2026, LinkedIn took it in July 2026, WhatsApp took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LinkedIn’s share of searches among social media platforms in New Zealand moved from 2.5% to 2.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 203K to 166K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among social media platforms in New Zealand moved from 2.1% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 184K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand social media platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, WhatsApp rose from 8th to 7th among social media platforms in New Zealand.
In September 2026, LinkedIn fell from 7th to 8th among social media platforms in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using LinkedIn’s and WhatsApp’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
LinkedIn
13 branded search terms
- linkedin advertising
- linkedin advertising management
- linkedin app
- linkedin business manager
- linkedin campaign management
- linkedin clm
- linkedin company page
- linkedin profile
- linkedin recruiter
- linkedin sales navigator
- linkedin search
- linkedin social media
WhatsApp
5 branded search terms
- jibi whatsapp
- my whatsapp
- whatsapp web
- whatsapp windows
Other head-to-heads among social media platforms
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